CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — The architect of a proposed three-condominium development on city-owned property in the Cedar-Fairmount district withdrew his offer to buy the half-acre of land Monday (June 2).
Paul Volpe took his two-minute time allotment during the “public comment” portion of Monday’s City Council meeting to drop that bombshell, saying, “I’m done with this city.”
Council still had a third reading on Monday’s agenda for the proposed deal, with no vote coming that night.
Before storming out of council chambers, Volpe told “invisible” Mayor Kahlil Seren that it was time for him to go, too, citing a lack of communication and leadership.
“This is about my integrity, as much as anything else,” Volpe said at the outset. “As far as the development is concerned, I don’t care anymore.”
Volpe had introduced himself as “the evil architect” and affected party amid the backlash from neighbors on Delaware Drive who want the green space preserved on Cedar Road across from the Ascent at Top of the Hill apartment complex.
Council received an alternative proposal from those neighbors that members still wanted to look over before a possible vote June 16.
Several neighbors again spoke against the proposal, which they said they were not informed about until it recently appeared on council’s agenda from the administration.
“Well, my partner and I regrettably say ‘Uncle,’” Volpe told council, twisting one arm behind his back. “We’re done. I’m done with this city. I’m finished.”
Volpe said he’d been working for nine months on the proposal, culminating May 30 when “the city’s hired attorney offered us last-minute changes to the purchase agreement, telling us to take ‘em or leave ‘em.”
Volpe said his plan had always been to simply to extend the neighborhood, complete the business district and “fill an ugly void with quality architecture and three unique, beautiful, single-family taxpaying homes.”
The proposed cost came in the $900,000 range, although critics pointed to the citywide Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) that provides a 15-year, 100 percent tax abatement on new homes across town.
Volpe said he had no assurance from the city that he and his partner would get the support they needed “to at least discuss this, so it might move forward.”
He added that they were only talking about a $40,000 purchase agreement, with many public appearances to follow before various city regulatory boards and commissions.
“So, people, you want your park?” Volpe asked the neighbors in attendance and watching online. “You got it. I’m not going to stand in your way. You got it.
“It’s there, OK, but consider that there is another side to this,” Volpe continued.
“Because that piece of land is city property; it’s not your property. It’s all of our property. And our neighborhoods are shared and their future is something that will affect all of us.”
Since moving to Cleveland Heights nine years ago, Volpe said he has proposed various diverse for-sale infill developments on vacant properties — four of which failed.
“Finally, one took hold — a half-acre, 330-foot narrow strip of city property that nobody ever cared about until I came along.”
Prior to the meeting, council learned that the property deed was clear, with one easement that would not have affected Volpe’s proposal.
Volpe then turned his focus to the city, thanking council “for listening in the past.”
He then praised Assistant Director of Economic Development Brian Anderson “for being the only one who provided us any professional service under difficult circumstances.”
To Seren, Volpe offered some “senior wisdom,” saying he has a son the mayor’s age.
“I told him a successful leader must love to engage with people, know how to listen and lead with vision,” Volpe said to Seren.
“You’ve done none of these,” Volpe told the mayor. “it’s time to go — and for me too. Goodbye.”
As Volpe was leaving, Council President Tony Cuda said behind him, “Mr. Volpe, I just want to understand this — are you withdrawing this proposal?”
Heading out into the hallway, Volpe replied: “Yes, I’m done. Give them their land. There’s no leadership in this town.”
Later in the meeting, when the proposed legislation came up for its third reading with no action to be taken, Cuda said “I’ve never seen this happen before, in terms of a developer withdrawing his proposal.”
Noting that he was the one who introduced the legislation, Seren asked council to hold off on it, in an attempt to smooth things out and “have a clearer-eyed conversation with Mr. Volpe.”
In addition to opponents, council also heard from Sal Russo, who — after giving a presentation on the new Grocery Outlet opening in July — offered his support for Volpe’s project.
Tom Hudak questioned the need for rebranding a narrow vacant lot on busy Cedar Road as “green space,” especially with a much larger expanse on the other end of the block across North Park Boulevard.
Ken Surratt lives on South Overlook Road, which runs parallel to Delaware and also abuts the vacant city lot.
But Surratt spoke from his perspective as a member of the Cleveland Heights Planning Commission, citing an inconsistent process for proposed development.
“I guess it’s not on the table now,” Surratt said. “But for future development deals, please have a process that is consistent and has community input at the very beginning — and you will end up with a better product.”
Surratt pointed to the initiative taking place on the proposed revitalization of the Severance Town Center, as well as the transformation of the much-derided Noble Station into Nobility Court.
Surratt credited Volpe for stepping in on that project after City Council shot down the inferior version, including the lack of transparency with the public.
Read more from the Sun Press.
